Amador County – About 50 people attended the McDonald’s remodel appeal hearing Tuesday, with a vast majority testifying against it.

Supervisor Vice Chairman Louis Boitano presided over the meeting in Chair John Plasse’s absence due to illness, and the Amador County Board of Supervisors voted 4-0 to continue the appeal hearing to Jan. 10, so the appellant group and McDonald’s can discuss a compromise design.

Construction manager Margaret Trujillo said Craig Schrader and family bought the Martell restaurant about three years ago, hired a contractor and “with winter approaching would like to go with this (new compromise) design and start tomorrow.” She said it is a $580,000 remodel project. She said unfortunately, at the last moment, Condition 19 was brought to their attention. She also said the appellants’ suggested “changes to the building structure are not in the budget.”

Supervisor Richard Forster said now that they know the conditions, why would they keep bright yellow on the building exterior, as the big arches are staying. Trujillo said it would not change because “the golden awning is important to the corporate branding.”

Forster said “if you keep the arches, why not take out the yellow to fit in with the Amador brand.” He said “if it is important to the Schrader family, they should have talked to the appellant group.” Boitano asked if any member of the Schrader family in attendance wanted to address the board and none came forward.

In public comment, Thornton Consolo said Martell is the county’s “cash cow” and they should not “junk it up.” Louise Munn urged Supervisors to “preserve the looks of the old-time town.”

Ray Brusatori of Sutter Creek said “it is important to have design guideline standards in downtown historic areas, but Martell isn’t one of them.” He said “we should encourage businesses to come to this area, and this man wants to spend half a million dollars. We should welcome that.”

John Otto said “design of a community communicates who it is,” it is not more costly to have good design, and they “should improve Martell and Amador County one step at a time.”

Boitano said some specific statutory guidelines need to be met, regardless of the compromise. Trujillo and appellant Keith Sweet agreed to discuss more changes.

County Counsel Greg Gillott said “if the decision is not made within a certain timeline, then the Planning Commission’s decision stands.” He said they need something in writing from the applicant to extend the timeline.

Trujillo agreed to that and Sweet said he also agreed, “as long as she signs before she leaves the building.” The hearing was continued to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 10.

Story by Jim Reece This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.